Using the same engine power school buses rely upon, Cummins pulled back the curtain on a Class 7 truck to demonstrate the company’s range of technologies. These include the first electrified commercial truck, that offer a glimpse of future school bus power solutions.
Tuesday’s showcase was part of an event held at Cummins’ technical center in Columbus, Indiana. The Urban Hauler EV tractor, the same vehicle class as a Type C conventional school bus and some Type D transit-style models, is equipped with a lighter, denser battery back that Cummins said allows for a longer, faster charge and improved range.
The truck also offers hybrid technology via the Cummins B4.5 or B6.7 diesel engines, which Cummins said offer 50-percent fuel savings compared to diesel hybrids currently on the market.
Cummins also showcased its new “super-efficient” X12 and X15 heavy-duty diesel engines that feature Single Module Aftertreatment, which the company said offers longer maintenance intervals for the lowest cost of ownership. Cummins also announced plans to introduce a next-generation diesel engine in 2022.
Meanwhile, Cummins demonstration featured a new approach for alternative fuels. It showed the new “Near-Zero” natural gas engines for Class 8 trucks that are equivalent to diesel in performance while also outputting little to no emissions. The company also announced the development of a “high-efficiency” and spark-ignited system that promises diesel-like performance and durability for ethanol, methanol and gasoline applications while also meeting the most stringent emissions requirements.
“These new technological innovations build on our 100-year legacy of bringing the best solutions to our customers, driving their success and meeting the evolving demands of their industries and markets,” said Jennifer Rumsey, chief technical officer at Cummins, in a statement on Tuesday. “We will harness our global technical footprint to continue to develop a wide variety of power technologies to bring our customers the choice and solutions that enable their success and contribute to a sustainable future.”
